E-commerce

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 10:52 am on 24 February 2000.

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Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party 10:52, 24 February 2000

I am not sure whether it is only the anoraks who are here for the debate, or whether the members who are here are interested in pursuing consensus on such major issues of public policy. I wonder about the members who are not here. It might be that the members who are here are those who are interested in pursuing joined-up government.

The debate comes on a day when the Minister for Health and Community Care has advised us to eat healthily and John Home Robertson has encouraged us to eat deep-fried fish. Interesting perspectives are raised about the policy challenges that we face, and the debate has been helpful in that respect. I hope that Mr McLeish will support the Conservative amendment. I hope that he will also give Parliament the opportunity regularly to hear a ministerial statement—although not necessarily to hold a three-hour debate—about the implementation of e-commerce initiatives. That will allow us to see the progress that is being made.

I would like to comment on a number of the important points that have been made. First, Margo MacDonald—and she might fall off her seat as I say what I am about to say—made a number of helpful and practical suggestions. We need practical suggestions on how to engage SMEs in the process; there are a number of such suggestions in "Connecting Scotland: The First Wave". Margo's suggestions were a helpful addition to that. She can feel much happier now that I have said those nice things about her and her ideas.

Irene Oldfather made important points about the intensification of cross-border competition. That will be seen as either an opportunity or a threat, depending on which end of the telescope one is looking through. It is essential that there is coherence in our preparation for such issues—that will guarantee that the situation is seen as an opportunity and that it is used to our maximum advantage.

Jamie Stone made an important point, for which I have much sympathy, on the tourism sector and the approach that has been taken by the Scottish tourism industry. Ossian is an exciting technological development that can transform the way in which businesses approach the competitive process of attracting visitors. However, it will be useful only if many people take part in it and utilise it. It is incumbent on all our development agencies to ensure that they play a part in encouraging businesses to take the practical steps of buying a computer, finding out how to log on and use the system, and determining how that can have an impact on their business.